NFL Week 1 Predictions: The Dallas Cowboys and Other Winners of the Week

Week 1 officially began on Thursday, but it just doesn't get better than the full slate of games on that first Sunday. It, in my mind at least, is what signals the true start of the season and we get to see a glimpse of who will be good and who won't this year.

Without further ado, onto the predictions, starting with...

Atlanta @ Chicago

I look at this and what comes to mind is the Atlanta-Pittsburgh game in Week 1 last year, where defense ruled the day and it stayed close throughout.

If this was in Atlanta, with the fast turf in the Georgia Dome, I would expect the Falcons to dominate. With the horrid sod of Soldier Field, however, I see this being a much slower game that allows the Bears to play defense much better with this faster-looking Atlanta offense.

I think that with the home-field edge, it puts these teams close enough that Chicago grabs the win late.

CHI 13 – ATL 10

Cleveland @ Cincinnati

An unpredictable game with two teams who don’t stand to make much improvement on their previous records this year. One of them, though, is looking to me like it could make significant improvement as a team despite it not showing in the record (here’s a hint: not the team who’s current top QB is retired).

Colt McCoy showed great progress in the preseason in the West Coast offense that Cleveland is now running, and he should have a great showing to open the regular season because of it.

CLE 23 – CIN 13

Buffalo @ Kansas City

It’s going to be a lot more interesting going into it now that Matt Cassel has that rib injury. I am higher on Buffalo than most people as it is, and Kansas City is definitely a candidate to take steps back from last year. Their preseason gave me nothing good to help alleviate any concerns about a drop in performance.

They did get plenty of good players in free agency, though, and I feel that against a team as devoid of talent as the Bills are, even if Cassel misses the game Jamaal Charles and co. will control it well enough to win. It will be closer than expected, though.

KC 24 – BUF 20

Philadelphia @ St. Louis

“Dream Team” versus a team many predict to be the class of the NFC West this year. The Rams definitely are showing signs of what is needed to take that step from improving team to playoff team. They have their young franchise QB, lots of youth, some key vets, an aggressive defense and a strong running game. They added many new pieces in the draft and free agency to fix weaknesses.

It won’t be enough this week, though. I expect them to be good this year, but I see Philly in a different class than St. Louis at this point, and I say it won’t even be close.

PHI 34 – STL 16

Detroit @ Tampa Bay

The two teams poised to break into the top of the NFC. Tampa Bay already showed its ability to win last year by making it to 10 wins, but that was against an easy schedule. They have to prove themselves against a tougher group of opponents this time around.

The Lions have to prove they can take that step from “team with potential” to “great team." Both should do well this year, and it’ll be another tough, close contest. The Lions take this one behind the strength of Ndamukong “Donkey Kong” Suh and that D-Line pressuring Josh Freeman all day.

DET 23 – TB 14 

Tennessee @ Jacksonville

Before the whole cutting of Garrard, I was buying into Jacksonville doing well and challenging for the division even before Peyton Manning was ruled out for 2-3 months. Without him, though, I don’t expect anything now, mostly because I have no clue how well Luke McCown can do. I’m predicting not well in this game.

It’ll go Tennessee’s way because they have the better players at skill positions and on the O-line.

TEN 22 – JAX 13

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

Always close, always entertaining, always smash-mouth football. The matchup every football purist loves because it goes down to the end every time, decided by one or two plays.

Baltimore was so close to finally knocking off Pittsburgh in the playoffs last year, jumping out to that big lead. When they needed to attack later on, though, they had no one who could separate themselves from the defense. They fixed that now by trading for Lee Evans, who has the speed they have lacked for years at WR. I say it will make the difference this week.

BAL 24 – PIT 23

Indianapolis @ Houston

Even before Manning had his most recent surgery, I was buying the Texans to take this division and finally make the playoffs. With him out of the way, it will take the most massive choke-job humanly possible for the Texans to not take this division handily.

I was thinking it would be close if Peyton did play, but now I’m calling for a blowout.

HOU 34 – IND 13

N.Y. Giants @ Washington

Two teams having some problems right now. One of them is missing talent at the most important position, QB. The Giants, meanwhile, just can’t escape the injury bug, losing many starters and key players already.

I think the Redskins will be able to follow up an impressive preseason and continue the Giants woes.

WAS 17 – NYG 14

Seattle @ San Francisco

Two rebuilding teams. Both look to have potentially bright futures, but I don’t see either doing all that well this year, however.

Most of that stems from the QB situations each team has. In my mind, it will come down to all the surrounding pieces, since neither QB is much (if at all) better than their counterpart. I think the run game will give San Fran just enough of an advantage to take this one.

SF 20 – SEA 16

Minnesota @ San Diego

The last time these teams met, Adrian Peterson broke an NFL record with 296 rushing yards and Antonio Cromartie made the longest play in NFL history, with a 109 yard missed-FG return.

Those theatrics won’t be repeated, but I expect a fun game. Peterson will get his yards, of course, but it won’t be enough as the Chargers take it behind a great game from Philip Rivers.

SD 24 – MIN 19

Carolina @ Arizona

Both teams suffered from some horribly bad QB play last year, helping lead to their underwhelming records. Both also got new QBs in the offseason who should make that position more stable for the future.

In Kevin Kolb, though, the Cardinals have a QB that can help improve their hopes now and he will show it in this game.

ARI 27 – CAR 20

Dallas @ N.Y.Jets

Dallas is primed for a good season after not living up to expectations last year. New York is trying to finally make true on Rex Ryan’s promise of bringing the Lombardi trophy home for the first time since Namath did so.

The problem here is that the Jets have never beaten Dallas. Never. With Rob Ryan revamping their defense in the offseason, I think that will hold true again.

DAL 20 – NYJ 13

New England @ Miami

This will be much closer of a matchup this year than last season. Miami has a potentially better defense than in 2010, when it was already top-10 material. Chad Henne should make improvements this year, because he can’t be much worse than last season. He has a revamped running game, a better O-line and a year of continuity with Brandon Marshall.

It will make this game closer, but ultimately the Patriots will take this one towards the end.

NE 24 – MIA 21

Denver @ Oakland

Denver is coming off a season where their defense was worse than anyone else in giving up points. Oakland had their best season in almost a decade, sweeping their division in the process. They lost many good players over the offseason though, and Denver gained a pass rusher through the draft in Von Miller AND also get back Elvis Dumervil after losing him all of last season.

I see that defense showing massive improvement right away and harassing the Raiders all game.

DEN 20 – OAK 16